Last day in paradise

Well this is the final day and I must say that I have had a typical holiday for me, and thus totally not what anyone else would have done.

By spending time with my friend, and letting her show me how they live I experiences things that few tourists would ever do.

Everyone knows, or will tell you, that it takes months or even years to fully understand a place, its politics and its culture.

This is true.

But if you want a closer glimpse in just a few short days then my advice is definetly to do the following.

1) Go shopping for food in the local markets
2) Find a McDonalds or other fast food joint and study both menu & customers
3) Watch a movie at a local Cinema ( regardless of film type or language )
4) Go obscure souveneir shopping
5) Use the local public transport system often
6) Visit both the rich and the poor side of town
7) Get a local corner-shop-style meal
8) Watch a sport ( any ) in a local bar and see how their supporters behave
9) Get a hair cut
10) Befriend a local and if possible meet their family & friends

As much as possible all this should be done by a small group, NOT a organised all-inclusive package holiday, and whenever possible try to talk or speak in the local language.

Of course, most people go to other places for the sun, the sea, the sex, the clothes shopping and the sports, and that's fine for most people, only... "I'M NOT MOST PEOPLE".

Watching a hotel full of Dutch supporters paint the town orange regardless of their team losing at football was a joy to behold.

Being taken in to a friends house and knowing that if they come to your country you can return the favour gives me an enormous sense of well being.

Eating locally caught fresh fish by the beach, with the head and tail still attached, is a luxury I have never had before.

Trying to see how good or bad, or impossible to find, just a simple thing like a hand fan or thimble make shopping an experience in itself.

So many memories that I cannot put them all down on paper.

At the start of the week I regretted coming, but now I am fully glad that I remained.